The Shamir Worm Legend | Adar Bet 5784 (March 2024) | The Third Temple
This newsletter is dedicated to the souls of the fallen and the murdered Israelis , along with the safe return of all the Israeli citizens held in captivity
The legend of Solomonโs Shamir, which was used to cut through stones of the altar as the use of iron to cut altar stones was prohibited, tells of the tremendous efforts King Solomon made to properly build the Temple. Watch the video tell the history of Solomonโs Shamir>>
The Stone Capital at the Temple Mount
The Temple Mount, as we know it today, is similar in structure to the Temple Mount at the time of the Second Temple, with a large plaza, at the center of which is the holiest site. The Dome of the Rock, which is located at the center of the Temple Mount, symbolizes the site of the Temple and the Holy of Holies. In the south of the plaza is the Al Aqsa Mosque, which, at the time of the Second Temple, was the royal stoa, a covered structure with huge columns and ornate capitals. Between the Stoa and the Temple was a central water fountain, whose location is currently occupied by the Kas - a water fountain bordered by a green fence.
Flavius Josephus describes the Royal Stoa as a magnificent Greco-Roman structure with 162 columns standing in four rows, each of which stretching almost 13 meters high topped by a gold-plated capital. The building was used to host non-Jewish dignitaries, as they were prohibited from entering the Temple. Following the destruction of the Temple, multiple stone capitals marking various architectural periods and styles were exposed. Corinthian capitals that had been gold-plated had the gold stolen from them over the years.
Researchers are divided regarding the identification of the period of these capitals - whether they were from the days of the Second Temple, possibly originating in the Royal Stoa, or from the Byzantine Era. As this style typified both eras, we cannot definitively know the age of the oldest capitals. Over the years, many structures were built and destroyed on the Temple Mount. It so happened that throughout the many eras that passed on the Temple Mount, secondary uses were found for buildings, parts of buildings, building blocks and even column capitals, which originated from ancient buildings that were destroyed, and that were incorporated into newer buildings.
One thing is clear - the richness of the architectural ornamentation, which is reflected to us in the different titles and periods, teaches us that vast resources were dedicated throughout the eras to the decoration of the buildings on the Temple Mount, from ancient eras to the present day.
In 2024, 5056 Israeli Jews and 3770 tourists ascended the Temple Mount. What about you? (Credit Journal Makor Richon)
The book of Jeremiah (16:14):
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said: 'As the LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt,' This is not to be interpreted as a denial of the exodus from Egypt. On the contrary, the future enslavement of the nations will become essential, and will make the exodus from Egypt a secondary event. The verse does not belittle the atrocities committed by the Egyptians but says that the story of the exodus from Egypt and the accompanying miracles will be relegated to a secondary position. Hence use of the phrase โIt shall no more be saidโ since the miracles of Egypt will become obsolete.
All festivals mark the exodus from Egypt, but their impression will be pale in comparison to the splendor of the days of the Messiah. The miracles of this time will be so great that the wonders related to holidays will lose their relevance.
On the other hand, the miracles of Purim are related to the elimination of Amalek, a prerequisite for complete redemption. Hence, we understand that these miracles are of the same magnitude as those of the days of the Messiah, when the name of G-d and His throne will be complete. That is why the days of Purim will not be canceled, because they remind of the complete redemption. ย (statements by Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Spira zโl, from the book โ Bnei Yissascharโ)
โ...but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feastโ
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